Stop war drums, Teso MPs tell Jopadhola
Jun 16, 2009
THE Teso parliamentary group has warned the Jopadhola to stop sounding war drums over the proposed splitting of Tororo district.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
THE Teso parliamentary group has warned the Jopadhola to stop sounding war drums over the proposed splitting of Tororo district.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament yesterday, the group’s chairperson, Patrick Amuriat, noted that the current bickering between the Jopadhola and the Iteso threatens the existing peace in the district.
He said the statements used by some Jopadhola politicians were inflammatory and created disharmony between the Jopadhola and the Iteso.
Last month, the local government minister, Adolf Mwesigye, tabled a proposal to create 14 new districts including Mukujju and Kisoko which are to be curved out of Tororo which will then cease to exist.
If the proposal is approved, the number of districts will increase from 80 to 94.
However, the proposal has caused tension between the Japadhalo and the Iteso in Tororo.
The Jopadhola argue that once the proposed districts are created, the Jopadhola, who are the original inhabitants of the area, will lose their historical and cultural identity.
Their spokesperson, Tanga Odoi, said Tororo Municipality, which will be in Kisoko under the proposal, was important to them.
“The Jopadhola own the municipality since it was established in 1923. If they create Mukujju, it is fine but not Kisiko out of West Budama, because the municipality will be erased,†Tanga said.
The Jopadhola after three consultation meetings held last month, advocated for a referendum, which is provided for under the Constitution, in case of a contentious matter.
However, the Teso group is against the referendum on grounds that since the Jopadhalo are the majority population, they will vote in their own favour.
THE Teso parliamentary group has warned the Jopadhola to stop sounding war drums over the proposed splitting of Tororo district.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament yesterday, the group’s chairperson, Patrick Amuriat, noted that the current bickering between the Jopadhola and the Iteso threatens the existing peace in the district.
He said the statements used by some Jopadhola politicians were inflammatory and created disharmony between the Jopadhola and the Iteso.
Last month, the local government minister, Adolf Mwesigye, tabled a proposal to create 14 new districts including Mukujju and Kisoko which are to be curved out of Tororo which will then cease to exist.
If the proposal is approved, the number of districts will increase from 80 to 94.
However, the proposal has caused tension between the Japadhalo and the Iteso in Tororo.
The Jopadhola argue that once the proposed districts are created, the Jopadhola, who are the original inhabitants of the area, will lose their historical and cultural identity.
Their spokesperson, Tanga Odoi, said Tororo Municipality, which will be in Kisoko under the proposal, was important to them.
“The Jopadhola own the municipality since it was established in 1923. If they create Mukujju, it is fine but not Kisiko out of West Budama, because the municipality will be erased,†Tanga said.
The Jopadhola after three consultation meetings held last month, advocated for a referendum, which is provided for under the Constitution, in case of a contentious matter.
However, the Teso group is against the referendum on grounds that since the Jopadhalo are the majority population, they will vote in their own favour.